Why cosmetic preservation has become a formulation game-changer!

MUTTENZ, June 25, 2026 - Cosmetic preservation is undergoing a significant transformation. Formulators today are expected to reduce their reliance on traditional and commonly used preservatives while maintaining product safety, formulation stability, and performance. At the same time, formulations are becoming increasingly polyvalent, seamlessly bridging multifunctionality with sustainability.

To better understand this shift, we spoke with Karolina Scierski, Portfolio Marketing Manager for Preservation at Clariant.

Why is preservation becoming more challenging in cosmetics?

Karolina Scierski: "Several converging factors are driving this transformation. On one hand, we see increasing regulatory pressure worldwide phasing out well-established preservatives, alongside a strong consumer demand for 'clean' and more sustainable formulations. On the other hand, formulations themselves are becoming leaner — shaped by the growing need for minimalistic INCI lists — yet they must still deliver solid efficacy at reduced ingredient use levels.

This means formulators must embrace creativity by exploring new approaches to developing modern preservation systems. The key to success lies in experimenting with reduced dosages and ingredient synergies to unlock higher performance, while moving beyond traditional, well-known solutions."

What is the biggest misconception about preservation today?

Karolina Scierski: "The biggest misconception is that preservation is solely about antimicrobial efficacy — but the reality is that it has evolved dramatically. Preservation has moved from being an invisible underdog — a purely technical ingredient that formulators simply expected to 'just work' without causing headaches — to a vital component that balances safety, free-from trends, and delivers multifunctional benefits well beyond basic protection."

What is changing in how formulators approach preservation?

Karolina Scierski: "The way formulators approach preservation is fundamentally changing — and it goes far beyond simply swapping one preservative for another. Formulators are increasingly targeting hybrid preservation systems that focus on synergies and complementarities between ingredients, while carefully respecting technical formulation properties and their limitations.

This requires a much broader knowledge and expertise — not just about the ingredients themselves, but also about their technical functionality and interactions with one another.

Real, in-depth expertise in cosmetic science. And that includes embracing failure, trial and error, and a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.

The goal is to develop preservation ingredients that become truly multifunctional chameleons, adapting to every product mix and application — genuine value creators that contribute to the consumer experience just as powerfully as any other ingredient in the formulation."

What role do multifunctional boosters play?

Karolina Scierski: "Multifunctional boosters are key enablers of this shift, empowering formulators to work within modern formulation standards without compromise. Rather than simply increasing ingredient dosages, they elevate formulation efficacy on multiple levels — reducing or replacing controversial preservatives while simultaneously delivering additional benefits such as emollient and solubilising properties, targeted sensorial experiences, or meeting 'free-from' requirements.

This multi-layered approach allows formulators to close performance gaps intelligently, addressing preservation needs while contributing to the broader formulation story. It is a more refined, purposeful way to think about preservation — and formulation efficacy as a whole.

This is why our Velsan^™ portfolio has been designed with versatility in mind. Whatever the ingredient mix or formulation target, formulators can identify the booster that best addresses their specific challenges and seamlessly fulfils their performance needs."

Learn more: Multifunctional and natural preservation boosters.

Where do you see the biggest challenges today?

Karolina Scierski: "For me, the biggest challenge is time.

One of the reasons why traditional preservatives are so well-established is because they have existed for decades, proving their efficacy across all types of formulations and applications. Over the years, formulators have built deep, hands-on experience with these ingredients — to the point where an experienced formulator can read a formulation's specifications and parameters on paper and immediately know which preservative to use and at which dosage.

With modern systems, however, the industry is still in its early stages. The entire industry is collectively gaining knowledge through experience, and trial and error is essential to understanding which synergies work and which do not. The product recalls we have seen on the market recently due to antimicrobial contamination reflect exactly that — we are all still learning. And to reach the same level of expertise that exists for traditional systems, the industry simply needs time — time that we do not have in today's fast-paced economic environment.

The rapid rise of social media and influencer culture is further accelerating trend and product life cycles, pushing brands to bring innovations to market at an ever-increasing speed to stay relevant and meet evolving consumer needs.

As ingredient suppliers, we must adapt accordingly to support our customers through these fast-moving consumer goods cycles. This is why we have established dedicated Preservation Expert teams worldwide — to stay close to our customers and provide tailored support at every level of the preservation challenge."

Learn more: High-throughput testing – ensuring safe cosmetics with cutting-edge robotics.

What comes next?

Cosmetic preservation is no longer a single-step solution — it has become a system-level challenge that touches every aspect of modern formulation.

As demands continue to evolve, the focus is shifting toward more integrated, hybrid approaches that intelligently balance safety, performance, and sustainability — with preservation playing an increasingly visible role in the broader formulation and consumer experience story.

In the coming weeks, Clariant will explore how these principles come to life in practice across key application areas, including suncare, wet wipes, baby care, and much more. Stay tuned!

Velsan^™ IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT. 

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Switzerland

+41 61 469 6742

www.clariant.com

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